You have a Specialist for this, and for that, but no Doc knows you.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I have an eye guy, a neuro gal, a bladder guy, a bone guy, and a diabetes guy. But outside of their specialties, no Doc has all of me. Unless you are ungodly lucky, you are going to end up with 'specialists'. And if you already have, do you feel like me?
 

I have one doctor, my PCP. She's actually a PA and the best "doctor" I have ever had. I can email her with a question and I will hear back from her in a few hours. She doesn't make me come in to the office to hear my blood work results or any other price-gouging, which I appreciate. I feel really lucky to have good health and a great doctor. Typically I see her once a year for blood work and a renewal of my BP Rx.

I do see my dentist (or at least her assistant) 4x a year for cleanings. I want to keep my teeth. :D
 

I have my GP, but for any "issue" he sends me around town. The days of Marcus Welby are over. Remember when a specialist was needed...and the GP had them come to his office ?

I suppose the new way, is the way in which they all make the most money....& [hate sounding so cynical] but I really doubt any of them care.

Have seriously been considering switching to 'alternative' care . Modern docs are IMO so invested in 'Big-Pharma' that pill pushing is first on their agenda, followed by this & or that 'preventative' procedure.
 
My PCP is Ok.

I actually think he worries more about my problems than I do.

I do my best to stay away from specialists offering complicated treatments for things that cannot be cured.

I prefer to die with as little commotion as possible even if that means going a bit early.
 
I have a cardiologist, urologist and looking for a new dentist. My doctors spend little time as possible with me
from a few minutes to 15. My surgeon spent 40 minutes with me!

I could actually see my GP in less time than eating lunch at McDonald's across the street! No kidding.
 
Victor said:
I have a cardiologist, urologist and looking for a new dentist. My doctors spend little time as possible with me
from a few minutes to 15. My surgeon spent 40 minutes with me!

I could actually see my GP in less time than eating lunch at McDonald's across the street! No kidding.
Click to expand...


I recently heard that the average time spent with a patient is right at 13 minutes...this person said that the goal, in the [med] industry was to get that down to 8 minutes !
 
rgp said:
I recently heard that the average time spent with a patient is right at 13 minutes...this person said that the goal, in the [med] industry was to get that down to 8 minutes !
Click to expand...

My doc is definitely at the 8 minute, or less, mark. He relies on the blood tests to tell him everything. However, I'm not engaging him in any kind of medical conversation as I don't have any complaints, so there is little chit chat during the visit.
 
I sometimes wonder if doctors are les concerned with the elderly. I often get the feeling that they don't honestly care enough in order to solve whatever medical issue the senior patient is suffering from. This is especially true if the doctor can not "see" the problem or locate it on standard tests.
 
Patient advocates

Does anyone, especially in the medical field, know about "patient advocates" ?

I have been suffering from serious bowel problems. For the last 5 years I have been coping with chronic diarrhea.
I have been to several different G.I specialists who have performed every imaginable invasive test. All to no avail. They don't know what is wrong. This problem has ruined my life.

Enter the patient advocate. What I hope to find is a person who will not accept a bunch of B.S. from the doctors. I need a tiger who will intervene and insist that I get to see some sort of specialist who take a serious interest in my case and find out what the hell is the cause of my illness.

If it turns out to be incurable then I think I can accept that and then proceed to end the suffering. I believe in death with dignity. But, I don't believe in mere survival. If I am at the end of the road then so be it. But, I'm willing to work with someone provide that are seriously trying to help.

So, is a patient advocate that person ?
 
My GP (general practicioner) has been looking after my health for about 35 years. He knows me inside and out and practises evidence based medicine. He refers me to specialists when I need one and makes sure I get a good one. He has my complete medical history in his computer and I can ask for a printout whenever I need it. All this and he has a diabetic nurse, a psychologist and a pathology collection service in his premises. He bulk bills so all services are without charge and no co-payment.
 
Traveler said:
Does anyone, especially in the medical field, know about "patient advocates" ?.....I have been to several different G.I specialists who have performed every imaginable invasive test. All to no avail. They don't know what is wrong. This problem has ruined my life. If I am at the end of the road then so be it. But, I'm willing to work with someone provide that are seriously trying to help.
Click to expand...

This article may help. And no, an advocate, as far as I know, isn't going to help you if you've had 'every imaginable invasive test'. Advocates are primarily used to get you through all the 'red tape' of hospitals. They may be needed if the docs are not communicating, or you have issues with 'navigating' everything that needs to be taken care of from tests to billing. They are not there to second-guess the docs. If you have the means, I would be looking at this article and considering going to another facility that specializes in GI work for a second opinion. That may well be out of state.I'm in Chicago area and know of a number of people that have gone to the Mayo Clinic to get their unresolved issues, resolved.

undiagnosed disease or condition.
 
This is not an elderly issue, especially; they are probably like this with all adults.
We are just bodies with symptoms in an office...turnstile quick treatments.
Moreover, many docs do not even touch you or even look closely at you.
They are paid no matter what they do or don't do.
 
Hello retiredtraveler, Thank you for your input. I guess that I had a wrong notion re "patient advocates" I had been told that they would talk with the doctors and find out why they are not able (or willing ?) to help me.
P.S. the article you posted does not work. When I try to click it on, nothing happens. Hmm ?
 
The trend now is to have Physician Assitants fill in for the doctors.
This happened with me and my cardiologist twice. The same copay
or payment applies. They didn't spend any more time with me.
I even have to pay $45. to see the R.N.!! Crazy.

I would still rather have the doctor than his assistant or nurse practitioner.
They have the extra time available but they may still give you a big rush.
BTW--the same issue applies to some veterinarians, who will not spend
quality time...
 

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